Ajamila - Greatness of Nama Sankirtanam

The Sixth  Skandha of Srimad Bhagavatam begins with the story of  Ajamila, who lived in Kanyakubja, lead a wayward life in spite of his good parentage and learning. He was a man of  good character till his early youth, performing daily vedic rituals, prayers, affectionate to his parents and children and very helpful for many others. He was a committed householder, having a loving wife and children. 

When he had gone out of town with some of his friends, he met a beautiful woman, and   was very badly attracted to this woman of doubtful character. She appeared  to him extremely  beautiful and voluptuous.  In spite of his early efforts to move away from her, he fell into a trap of carnal pleasures. He left his parents, noble wife and family, and permanently joined his new found women of bad character, due to his ego and lust which blinded him. 

Ajamila forgot his parents, loving family, people who respected him, and good friends only to be with this woman forgetting all his responsibility. He began his new life with her, spent all his time, wealth, and youth with her. He had children with her also. Now the once good  person had turned alcoholic, lazy and irresnow ponsible for what he did. He had forgotten all his daily chores of worship to Devatas, scholars and noble souls. Women, wine and wealth had spoiled him very badly. However, by choice as it were, named his youngest son among his ten children from his new women as Narayana. 

Ajamila was now aged, crippled with sickness and bed ridden. He liked his youngest son and used to call him often for anything he needed. He was nearing his death each day due to old age and sickness. He was 88 now, unable to walk freely or help himself. Ajamila’s time to die was nearing. His health deteriorated each day. Messengers of the lord of death, Yama appeared to him in his semi-conscious state. They were red eyed, looked ferocious and the old man, as usual called his son’ Narayana!’, in agony and pain. 

When this name was called out louder and louder, messengers of Gods rushed towards him. There was a heated discussion and quarrel among both the messengers of Yama and gods. Finally, Yama’s messengers had to return disappointed though since they were not supposed to touch and carry anyone who utters the sacred name of Narayana. 

Messengers of Devas have a message: . 

वेदप्रणिहितो धर्मः धर्मस्य प्रभुरच्युतः 

वेदो नारायणः साक्षात् स्वयम्भूरिव शुश्रुम || 

 One has to follow conduct as per Vedas, not against them, which is termd adharma. Veda is only the Knowledge of Supreme, Narayana. 

तस्मात् संकीर्तनं विष्णोः जगन्मङ्गलमम्हसाम् 

महतामपि कौरव्य विध्येकान्त विनिष्क्रुतं।।

Hence, the easiest and certain way of reaching God is repeating his sacred name as and when it is possible. It removes our sins effectively. This applies to all, whether great, mediocre or mean beings. This episode of Ajamila conveys a strong message of the greatness of Nama Sankirtanam, as a regular habit, which makes us morally and spiritually strong.